ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

Evening Star, Issue 22637, 1 May 1937, Page 4

ON ALL WAVELENGTHS

WRESTLING SATURDAY NIGHT RADIO FEATURES ' Already the broadcasting of wrestling bouts has made its seasonable appearance in the north, three or four descriptions having been given of the professional contests from the Wellington and Auckland stations. It will be good news to a large number of listeners m Otago and Southland that the Dunedin season of wrestling is to begin in earnest to-night, and that 4YA has again made arrangements to have a microphone at the Town Hall in readiness for the big bout ”at 9 o’clock. It is probable that this year’s wrestling in Dunedin will be staged every Saturday, while those followers of the sport, especially country residents, will be pleased to know that regular broadcasts are to be made from tha national stations. In the event of 4YA having already been committed to another broadcast on a Saturday night, the auxiliary station, 4Y0,. will presumably take over the relay from the Town Hall, an arrangement that has been worked in past seasons. In other seasons Mr C. L. Finer was official announcer, but his death a fortnight ago necessitated the appointment of another to fill the position of “ microphonist.” Mr W. J. Goughian, president of the Otago Wrestling Association, has now been selected to appear as announcer. and he will in future take his seat in the ringside balcony, where the broadcasting apparatus _is placed on wrestling nights. There is no doubt that Mr Goughian is one of the most competent men in New Zealand to carry out the duties of announcer, his connection with wrestling extending over a long period of years. He will also _be remembered for his efficient refereeing of professional matches in_ the early vears of the sport in Dunedin. ' Broadcast descriptions of wrestling matches claim a large number of listen-' ers in New Zealand. This is proved by the numerous letters received weekly by the broadcasting authorities and also by the inany individuals who are pleased to recount snatches of what one of the announcers has said the night before. On the: subject a northern writer refers to ’ wrestling broadcasts as “one of the radio curves of New Zealand,!’ adding that he .is of the opinion that “ most people, I think, will agree that these broadcasts-are monotonous, as well as disagreeable.” - Keen listeners in Otago and Southland, who. never miss a bout, as, exhaustiv«;%ing[uiry has. shown, will disagree witb). this opinion. They definitely regard wrestling relays as some of the brightest' entertainment of the week, conscientiously, "tuning in each station on the particular night set aside, for broadcast descriptions: ; The policy of, adhering to weekly- wrestling schedules is sound, ■ as the National Broadcasting Service'is thereby giving a large section of the listeners what it -has proved they really wish to hear—not whkt.it judges the public _ should have. The latter policy is commendable to . a point, but the practice of! broadcasting niatter that is deemed to be of the type that listeners* should, hear, must be kept within reasonable limits and administered by degrees, otherwise: the public will refuse to listen to the service- for i which they , are paying and time to an alternative broadcast from -one of the smaller stations. 4YA FEATURES NEXT WEEK CRICKET DESCRIPTIONS Monday.—At 7.30 there is to be broadcast news and a lecture for farmers, the whole arranged by the Farmers’ Union. At the opening of the concert session the Hon. Adam Hamilton, M.P., will speak on ‘ The King George V. Memorial Fund,’ and later Mr J. T. Leech’s Lyric Choir will be heard in items. ‘ The Importance of Being Earnest,’ a trivial comedy for serious people, written by Oscar Wilde, will commence at 9.11, and will be played by the Mountebanks. Tuesday.—Dr G. C. Billing will continue his ‘ Changing World ’ talks, speaking this time on ‘ Population Changes and the Unemployment Problem.’ Recordings will be used in the early part of the concert programme, which will include at 8.40 a talk by Miss Lorna Rowland on ‘ Chelsea and the Royal Academy.’ The second half of_ the programme will be ‘ mainly contributed •to by the band .of., the Ist Battalion, Otago Regiment, and the vocalist will be Miss Hazel Walker .(soprano). . Wednesday.—After 40 minutes of variety recordings in the evening, Professor Ri Lawson will speak, .on ‘ The Great Poets; Shakespeare.’ A theme programme, ‘ Laugh _ and the World Laughs With You,’ will be given later. . Thursday.—The first broadcast of a description of the play in the first match of the New: Zealand team’s tdur at Home will take place at 7 a.m., and will be repeated at both_B and 9 o’clock. Following the educational session In the afternoon, excerpts from the film of ‘ Romeo and Juliet’ will be represented by the Director of Broadcasting (Professor James Shelley) ‘ and ■ Mrs Mary M'Kenzie. The Australian soprano, Stella Power, is ,to appear in the evening, when a symphonic concert, featuring works by Brahms and Tschaikowsky, is to bo given.. The ‘ Coronation ’ series of talks is to be continued # by Major F, ■H. Dampen, at 8,42, his subject being ‘ The Day.’" which will bo descriptive of the actual Coronation procession. Friday.—The feature recordings will include the reintroductionof, ‘ Leaves, frotn the Scrap Book of the Tune Detective ’ (a new series), and a’further. adventure in the life of the Japanese house boy, and a dramatic play. ‘ The Last Hundred Yearsßismarck, the Iron Chancellor.’ The second hour of the concert programme will feature the 4YA Chamber Music Players. Saturday.—Stella Power will be beard in the concert programme, which will also, include items by the 4YA Concert Orchestra, under the direction of James Dixon. During 1935 a Mr Gus. Haeuschen . conducted more than 200 concerts for Jj.B.C. of America* f . J

NEWS and COMMENTS I

by “HENRY” s

TO STUDY RADIO SCIENCE MARCONI'S AUSTRALIAN VISIT Marchese Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy, and outstanding figure in modern wireless development, has accepted an invitation to attend a world radio convention, to be held in Sydney in April, 1938, as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations. The convention has been arranged by the Institution of Radio Engineers of Australia, and, with the approval of the State Government, invitations have been extended to the outstanding wireless authorities in all countries (records the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald ’). The general secretary of the institution (Mr E. F. Mingay) has announced that, besides Marchese Marconi, who would bo accompanied by the Marchesa Marconi, it was expected that Mr David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of America and National Broadcasting -Corporation, and Dr A. F. Philips, president of the Philips’ organisation at Eindhoven, Holland, would attend. Both had accepted invitations provided they could make the necessary business arrangements. Mr Mingay said that Sir John Reith, director-general of the British Broadcasting Corporation, was unable to accept the invitation, but Mr E. T. Fisk, president of the Institution of Radio Engineers of Australia, who was travelling abroad, would endeavour to secure the attendance of other radio authonties from Great Britain. Mr Mingiiy said that the approval of the State Government for the issuing of invitations to world radio authorities was received about two weeks ago, and the invitations were despatched by_Mr Fisk immediately. The reply received from Marchese Marconi was as follows “ Please convey to Mr Fisk and New South Wales Government sincere ■ thanks from wife and self for kind invitation April, 1938, which we accept with pleasure. Regards. (Signed) Marconi.” Mr Sarnoff, replying on behalf of his wife and himself, expressed deep appreciation of tiio invitation. Sg audGd that the annual meeting of the Radio Corporation of America shareholders would be held during April, 1938, and whether he could absent himself from the meeting would depend upon the state df affairs existing early next year, and upon the sanction of his board. Present indications were that it would ■be possible for him to accept the invitation, .and .both .he and Mrs Sarnoff were 'anxious to do so, He promised to advise the institution definitely early in February next. - Dr Phillips replied that he was honoured by the invitation, but requested time to consider whether it would be possible.to absent, himself from the '■ sadquarters of his organisation for so long. ■ ; .Sir John Reith stated that, while deeply appreciating the invitation ,_ he regretted that various _ considerations made it impossible for him to accept. . Mr Mingay said that an invitation had also been extended to Baron Togo, president of the Japan Wireless Telegraphy Company, Tokio, but no reply had yet been received. The convention, Mr Mingay explained, would be held from April 4 to 14. Questions to be discussed would include the future possibilities of wireless as a means of international communication, of marine and aeroplane communication, and of entertainment; television; and the use of wireless for medical purposes. Addresses and demonstrations for the general public would also be given, FAMOUS SINGER’S TOUR HUSBAND'S MICROPHONE DILEMMA Madame Lotte Lehmann, the famous prima donna, who has begun an Australian tour for the Broadcasting Commission, is accompanied by her husband, Mr Otto Krause, and her accompanist, Mr Ulanowsky. ■ When she arrived at Sydney on the Monterey, Madame Lehmann -was welcomed by the chairman of the commission (Mr W. J. Cleary) and the general manager (Mr C. J. Moses). A microphone was placed on the "deck of the Monterey directly it berthed, and Madame Lehmann was introduced to radio listeners by an A.B.C. announcer. She spoke a few words, expressing her pleasure at being in Australia, and then answered several questions about her voyage. “ And now,” said the announcer, “ we will ask Mr Krause, Madame Lehmann’s husband, to say a few words.” ’ He signalled to Mr Krause, who for a moment did not realise what was intended. Then, seeing that he was supposed to speak, ho waved his arms in the air, protesting vigorously. ■The microphone was brought to him, and, still he spoke rapidly into it in German. It"was too ‘much for Madame Lehmann. She stepped forward excitedly, and took the microphone from her bus ;barid. . “ Forgive, my poor husband,” she said into it, “ he cannot talk English.” A moment or two later she was being posed for a photograph. “Smile, please!” said- the photographer. , . '“'How can I?” asked Madame Lehmann. “ I am so'hungry I can’t smile.” It was then discovered that the time was 2 p.m., and Madame Lehmann had had no lunch.

HEARING THE WORLD DX NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE STANDARD TIME SCHEDULES. As daylight saving time finished last Sunday, all times mentioned in this column are now New Zealand standard, while those DXers who refer to any times given here during the summer months should.remember to deduct half an hour to bring them to the times now observed. . Reception of stations located in the North American continent has not been very consistent, and this, coupled with the rather high noise level, has not been to the advantage of the_ DXer, as only the high-powered stations have broken through. Even these have not always been loggablo, FREQUENCY CHANGES. The Commonwealth stations, too, have been rather patchy, but, on the whole, have been providing fairly good DX. Last Saturday, although noisy after dark, was a very good night, as the regional 3GI on 830 kc was heard as early as 4.25 p.m. One further change in frequency has been recorded,_ showing that all is not yet settled with the frequencies ot the Australians. The change is 4WK, Warwick, Queensland, from 1,360k0 to 1,340 kc, a channel recently vacated by SMU, Murray Bridge, South Australia. The 1,360 kc channel, however, is occupied by another station whose identity is so far unknown. A change in a New Zealand station’s frequency has also been recorded, this being 2YB, New Plymouth, from 760 kc to the much higher frequency of 1,060 kc. 2YB is fairly easy to log in the earlier part of the evening, but as it gets late the two Australians, 3YB, Warrnambool, and 4MB, Maryborough, both of which are on 1,060 kc, come through and badly lietrodyne the North Island station. As the noise level has been high, none but the ■ high-powered stations in the Eastern zone has been heard. These have been coming through fairly well, so that as soon as the noise abates DXers may be assured of good “ fishing ” among the lower-powered ones. CORONATION PROGRAMMES BROADCASTS BY EMPIRE STATIONS Tentative plans have now been made for the transmission of programmes from the Empire broadcasting station at Daventry on May 12 (Coronation Day). On this day, after the end of transmission 1, the normal system of programme distribution by six transmissions will be replaced by five transmissions, known as A, B, C, D, and E. The following programmes have now been arranged, but full details are at present lacking and the times of transmission are liable to minor alteration;— TRANSMISSION A. Greenwich mean time 9.15 a.m.: A description of the processions from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, by observers stationed at Buek-inghana-Palaoe, the Mall, the Cenotaph, and Abbey. _ 10.15: Coronation Service. 12.30: Interlude. 1.15: A description by observers stationed at Constitution Hill and Buckingham Palace of the return of the processions to Buckingham Palace. 2.30: News. 2.45: Coronation service (electrical recording). 5: Close down. ■ TRANSMISSION B. Greenwich mean time 5.20; News and announcements. 6.35; Programme to be announced. 6.20; A programme entitled ‘ The Empire’s Homage,’ to which the dominions and some of the colonies will contribute. 7: A message by H.M. King George VI. 7.10: Close down. TRANSMISSION C. Greenwich mean time 7.30: Coronation service (electrical recording). 9.45: A description of the proces.sions to and from Westminster Abbey (electrical recording) < 10.50: News. ' 1 11: Close down. TRANSMISSION D. Greenwich meantime 11.20: Coronation service (electrical recording). --May 13— 1.35 a.m.: A description of the processions to and from Westminster Abbey (electrical recording). 2.40: News. ■ 2.50: ‘ The Empire’s Homage ’ (electrical recording)’. 3.30: A message by H.M. King George VI. (electrical recording), , 3.40: Close down. TRANSMISSION E. Greenwich mean time 4; Coronation service (electrical recording). 6.15: A description of the processions to and from ■ Westminster Abbey (electrical recording). 7.20: News. 7.30: Close down. On May 13 electrical recordings of the programme The Empire’s Homage ’ and the message of H.M. King Gfecrge_ VI. will also bo included in transmissions 2 and 3. A HOVEL DUET A German paper has a story about a nightingale that flew into a room, where a radio receiver was tuned in to Milan. Over the air from Milan came the song of a nightingale, whereupon the German nightingale made it a duet, which was remarkable because the Milan nightingale was no flesh-and-blood performer, but a machine made of a pair of bellows and some clockwork —a Fascist nightingale,. a

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPIRE DAVEHTRY’S HEW SERIES OF TALKS An important new scries of talks, entitled ‘ The Responsibilities of Empire,’ has begun from Daventry. The chosen speakers arc nil distinguished men, whoso views reflect experience and mature thought on the common problems of the Empire nations. It is appropriate that these talks should be broadcast at the present time, when the thoughts of the Empire peoples are

HUNGARIAN DX CONTEST SYSTEM OF POINTING Although the last amateur radio contest—the big 'American c.w. and phone competition—finished some time ago, the results have not yet readied Dunedin, but ZL4AO (Mr H. {l. Shrimpton, of St. Clair) contacted about 800 W and VE stations in the nine days of the contest. This is. quite a commendable feat and is worth noting. Mr Shrimpton. received the rules over the air. Next .month will see the first Hungarian DX pontest. The National Union of the Hungarian Short’ Wave Amateurs has organised a contest to take place during the five week-ends in May. Each period will begin on Saturday at 14.00 G.M.T. and end at 24.00 G.M.T. Six figure control numbers are to be used—R.S.T. report followed by the serial number o£ the G.S.O. during the test, totalled to three figures, with zeros Wore (in the fifth G. 5.0.: 005). Every complete Q.S.O. between a H.A. (Hungarian station) and an oversea amateur will count trio points; .if the j,number _ is received only on one side one point is scored. - Amateurs may again work the same station on the same week-end on different ; frequency bands, and on the same bands, but on different weekends. The oversea participants multiply their points by the number of the different H.A. “ hams ” worked, but each H.A. “ ham ” gives in_ each frequency band an extra multiplier. The log containing the data of the transmitter and receiver, the list of the communications with the Hungarian amateurs during the test (time, call, control numbers, frequency, band, and counted points) should arrive not later than August 1, 1937, at the union address: Matyas—ter 6, Budapest, garyThe third participant in every country in U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and in the Union of South Africa in every district will receive a certificate of his contest work, together with the Q.S.L.s (verification cards) from the H.A. station. All oversea amateurs are requested to send their Q.S.L.s, together with the log. TELEVISION INTERFERENCE MOTOR IGNITIONS THE CAUSE The hope that means will soon he found to ensure that all motor vehicles are fitted with suppressors in order to prevent intereference with the reception of television programmes was expressed recently by Sir Noel Ashbridge. He said that, electrical interference caused by spurious radiations from the ignition systems of motor .cars had long been known to exist, but that the extent of the interference which might be caused had been difficult to estimate. . . . Since the introduction of television the effect of such interference had been found to be somewhat serious when the reception of television signals was undertaken at distances of more than four or five miles from the transmitting station, becoming, of course, more so as tlie distance increased. The effect of a single motor car, however, was confined to a small area, so that even at a distances of 20 or 25 miles from the transmitter, interference was only obtrusive when a car was actually opposite a house where a television programme was being received. Conditions on a main road might, however, be had at any considerable distance from the transmitting station. .Reasonably simple means existed for. the prevention of these parasitic radiations, Sir Noel said, and it was to be hojied that means would soon be found for ensuring that all motor cars were fitted with suitable suppressors. SPEECHLESS CHARACTER STATION OFFICIAL’S JFOOTSTEPB BROADCAST Joseph Ries, educational director of WLW and WSAI, took an important part in a programme the other day, but did hot utter a word. It came about during the * Ohio School of tho Air ’ senes featuring * Men Who Made History.’ Listeners heard slowly-measured footsteps leaving a room. One of the characters explained: “That was Abraham Lincoln.” But finding an Abraham Lincoln with heavy tread was a difficult task for the production men. All members of the cast wore rubber heels, and the microphone would not pick up their j footsteps, Ries walked into the studio J

centred on the Crown and the approaching Coronation. Mr Stanley Baldwin gave the opening talk. Leading statesmen will discuss the responsibilities of the British Empire, both to itself and to the rest of the world. Each speaker will himself choose the particular problem or problems which he considers most urgently in need of solution. The series, of course, will not bo political in the party sense, although representatives of various political schools of thought will bo included. . Most important, however, is the fact that of the 10 speakers it is hoped that five will be from overseas.

ENJOYMENT BY RADIO

SOMETHING TO SUIT ALL As one of the elderly men in the kingdom, I am thankful that wireless has come to stay and to develop still more and more. What is there nicer in tho world than homo enjoyment? What is there better than home pleasures and. comforts ? (writes Sir, Ben Turner, one of the most distinguished leaders of the English Labour Party). It is nice to go to listen to grand bands and great singers, and to hear great orators and to be in the presence of fine lecturers and scientists. But all folks cannot .be. blessed that way. Nor can all of us find the time or the money to go here, there, an-' everywhere. But millions of us now able, with the help of the wireless, to hear and know of the best.

The wireless must add very much to the material comfort of many a sick man and woman, and can often put them’on the path to recovery. Some, like one form of entertainment and some another. But, wo can all get something to suit us. here.' And if we find the item not to our liking there’s nothing to stop us turning it off and switching on to something that pleases us. v Like other-folks I have my fads and failings. I don’t like highbrow music as much as I do some of the modern operas. Yet I can just feel that lam coming to understand some of what is termed high-brow stuff and to like it. When I have time to lie down on the couch and just listen to some of the sweet music from violas and violins, with their tremulous notes, it causes me to see in my mind’s eye the instruments being played with that delicacy of touch that goes right to my heart strings. I remember when I was over 40 years younger buying a phonograph and turning out music that satisfied both my wife and my very little children. It gave us home-made joys that we could not otherwise have obtained. Now, with the mike and the gramophone joined, we can have the music or the talk direct from the singer or the talker. And if we want voices from the past we can put on a record and hear Caruso and others of the past who were giants in their day. And what a blessing it is to the very poor folks. Then _ years ago people were saying the price of sets stood in the way and almost made it a pastime for the rich. To-day the poor man can enjoy his radio all the year round by saving up odd small amounts for his license and paying a few shillings down for his set.

It seems to be the most democratic form of entertainment in existence. The rich man can get little more out of it than the poor man. Any decently made set can reproduce well enough the music or the speech which is there for all to hear.

The radio is a great tonic, too. As a reader of books and papers, I can get a bit eye-weary and mind-weary. But a brass band will waken me up out of my lethargy and dreams and make me alive again. In addition, of course, the wireless is a great educational factor that must not be overlooked. I know more about the stars in the heavens than I did 10 years ago. I know more about some foreign parts of the world since I was 70 than before. To hear Sir Walford Davies giving music lessors, as I did frequently last year, was in itself an educational treat. I reckoned I knew a bit about music, but-1 learnt from him more than I did when I took music lessons nearly 60 years ago. . When my grandchildren visit me at the _ week-end they are as fond of the radio as I am, especially if we allow them to “ marlock ” about to the tunes and to join and sing ‘ Old Faithful ’ or ‘Roll Away, Clouds,’ or any of the homely things that go right to OUr “innards.”

We get cleanliness and godliness, and homeliness and humour, learning and fun and culture and romping enjoyment from our radio sets. And I say in thankfulness to those who have harnessed the elements to machinery and space and to the Creator of all good things. Thank God for the wireless! (Sir Ben Turner._ who was_ born in 1863, has seen the birth and' rise of the Labour Party, and has been one of its most distinguished leaders. He, was chairman of the Trades Union Congress in 1928, Secretary for Mines, 1929-30.)

Another way of making money out of wireless in your spare time has been uncovered I'- the Norwegian police; who got interested in a 21-year-old experimenter operating without a license, then changed the charge to espionage, transmitting in code to aircraft passing over Norway at night.